ABSTRACT
Background: Levofloxacin is a third generation fluoroquinolone chemotherapeutic agent used in the treatment of severe and resistant bacterial infections; it exerts antibacterial effects in both blood and inflamed tissues. Levofloxacin leads to central nervous system stimulation via inhibition of GABA-A receptor complex like beta-lactam antibiotics. Hydoxyzineis used for the treatment of insomnia, allergic reactions and for preoperative sedation because of blocking H-1 receptors and so blocking histaminergic signals. Objectives: The aim of the present study is to elucidate the exciting effect of levofloxacin in hydroxyzine induced psychomotor performance deterioration in normal healthy volunteers. Methods: Thirty healthy medical student volunteers, aged between 22-25 years were allocating arbitrarily. All participants were habituated with the study measures and skilled on the Leeds psychomotor tester before and after levofloxacin (500 mg/day) alone or with hydroxyzine (10 mg/day). Results: Hydroxyzine impaired psychomotor performance and cognitive function, it prolongs the total reaction time, movement reaction time, recognition reaction time and distort critical flicker and fusion frequency significantly p<0.05. While levofloxacin activates psychomotor performance and cognitive function, it shortens the total reaction time, movement reaction time, recognition reaction time and regulate critical flicker and fusion frequency significantly p<0.05. The combined effect of levofloxacin and hydroxyzine produced insignificant effects on psychomotor performance and cognitive function p>0.05. Conclusion: Levofloxacin significantly improves psychomotor performance in normal, healthy volunteers and produced CNS stimulation that is able to reverse deteriorations in psychomotor performance and cognitive function induced by hydroxyzine.